Ship loading boom installation having loading and suspension tackles and automatic guide blocks for positioning the suspension tackle by the load tackle

ABSTRACT

Ship loading installation having boom suspension tackle and boom controlling load tackle. The suspension blocks of the boom have guide blocks mounted on their undersides by swivel means. The loading rope runs over the guide blocks to the load-hoisting blocks. As a result this rope, when swinging the boom into a new position, automatically positions the suspension blocks by the guide blocks, so as to avoid twisting of the suspension tackle. The several blocks and swivel means form a simple inexpensive and stable unit whereby the boom manipulated with safety, speed and simplicity, heavy loads can be lifted.

United States Patent [191 Bauer et al.

[ Oct, 30, 1973 SHIP LOADING BOOM INSTALLATION HAVING LOADING ANDSUSPENSION TACKLES AND AUTOMATIC GUIDE BLOCKS FOR POSITIONING THESUSPENSION TACKLE BY THE LOAD TACKLE Inventors: Ralf Bauer; NilsSchummer, both of Warnemunde, Germany Assignee: Veb Warnowwerft,Warnemunde,

Germany Filed: Jan. 12, 1972 Appl. No.: 217,103

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 877,693,Nov. 18, 1969, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 212/3, 212/58 [51] Int. Cl. B66c 23/52 [58] Field of Search212/3, 58

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,512,655 5/1970 Kuhtz 212/33,236,390 2/1966 Sprengel 212/3 3,384,246 5/1968 Cochran 212/3 3,567,0403/1971 Thomson 212/3 3,446,363 5/1969 Sprengel 212/3 3,042,222 7/1962Lehmann 212/3 3,365,074 1/1968 Bradshaw 2l2/3 Primary Examiner-Harvey C.Hornsby AttorneyNolte and Nolte 57 ABSTRACT 6 Claims, 9 Drawing FiguresPAIENTEDIJBI 30 I97: 3. 768L664 SHEET 1 BF 4 SHIP LOADING BOOMINSTALLATION HAVING LOADING AND SUSPENSION TACKLES AND AUTOMATIC GUIDEBLOCKS FOR POSITIONING THE SUSPENSION TACKLE BY THE LOAD TACKLE This isa continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 877,693,

filed Nov. 18, 1969 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND AND NATURE OF THE INVENTION Cranes, booms and other loadinginstallations have been known for a long time. They have also been knownto be subject to distinct limitations. A frequently preferred type ofinstallation uses a loading boom pivoted to a ships deck between twoside posts and held by suspension tackle between the side posts and theboom. It is operated for the lifting of loads, as well as certainboom-positioning operations by loading tackle running from one side postonto the boom and its load blocks and then to the other side post. Manyconstructions are known for swinging the boom through the plane betweenthe side posts, mainly in order to use the boom to service hatches ondifferent sides of this plane; however, in prior attempts to effect suchswinging by the load tackle, arrangements were needed which werecomplicated, expensive and sometimes unreliable.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a boominstallation with more effective, economical and reliable control means.

This has been achieved by a new construction, featuring a pair of guideblocks, each pivotably secured to one of the suspension blocks. Theloading rope runs over the guide blocks and, when swinging the boom intoa new position, automatically positions the suspension blocks, by theguide blocks, so as to avoid twisting of the suspension tackle. Thus theguide blocks serve as part of the load tackle system and also aspart ofthe suspension tackle system. No other suspension controls are needed,and the construction is as economical as it is effective.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the new installation,shown here in position for swinging the boom across a mid-plane of theship;

FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view, showing the installation arrangedfor hoisting loads;

FIG. 2A is a further similar view, showing a modified boom and tacklesystem;

FIG. 3A is a front view of the suspension and guide block unit, aprincipal part of the invention;

FIG. 3B is an end view, partly in section and taken along lines 33 inFIG. 3A;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are fragmentary side views of the new unit, in twopositions thereof;

FIG. 5 is an approximate plan view of the unit in the position of FIG.4B, omitting certain parts; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view of the boom showing further positionsof the same and of equipment thereon.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 4A, wherein the installation is shown inperspective and elevational views, respectively: the head 1 of loadingboom 2 is arranged generally between two boom supporting masts or posts,one of which is shown in FIG. I at M. The foot of the boom is pivoted tothe ships deck, not shown in these figures, exactly between the sideposts.

FIG. 4B shows a vertical center line and mid-plane C of the boomoperation, which may also be called a plane transverse of the ship.While not shown here, both posts M have their center lines in thiscenter plane. The boom can swing forwardly and rearwardly across thisplane 1, in arcuate motions designated in FIG. 1 by arrows A, A, inorder that the load tackle of the boom may service loading areas oneither side of this mid-plane Boom head 1 comprises a pair of sides arms3 and a center arm 4 perpendicular to these side arms. This center arm,together with the boom, lies in the plane of swing A, A and extends fromthe boom in one of the directions A. The side arms 3 are symmetrical tothe center arm and boom and extend, as shown, transversely of the planeof swing A. The side arms and boom as a unit define a plane which inFIG. 4B and 6 coincide with A. In this plane a swivel bolt 5 extendsthrough each side arm 3. It supports a lower extension piece or swivelfork 5' below the side arm, as will be clear from FIG. 1. In each swivelfork, a suspension block 6 for the boom suspending tackle can swing, invarious planes, as is shown for one position in FIG. I and for twodifferent positions in FIGS. 4A, 4B. Evidently ball 5 and fork 5constitute a universal joint for three-dimensional swivelling ofsuspension block 6 on boom arm 3.

In accordance with the invention, boom suspension blocks 6 have not onlythe usual tackle pulleys 6' pivoted therein, but each suspension blockhas a guide block 7 pivotably suspended therefrom by an axle 8,constituting a second swivel means. This axle or second swivel 8 lies ina plane which also constitutes the major plane of the suspension block.This plane is normal to the direction 6" of the axis of the pulleys 6'for the suspension tackle. It will further be seen that each guide blockpulley 7 lies in a plane which includes the axis of its axle 8. Whenboom 2 is in a vertical position as shown in FIG. 4B the axis of eachguide block 7 lies in the center plane A while the guide block itself,as shown in that figure, may lie on one side of that plane the side ofcenter arm 4 and may only subsequently begin to swing to the other sideof the center plane. These motions of the guide block are caused by theload tackle, as will be described presently.

On center arm 4 of boom head 1, an upper loading block 9 is provided,which according to FIG. 1 comprises two lateral pulleys 10, one on eachside of the boom and both mounted on pivots parallel to the plane ofswing A. The entire upper loading block 9 is pivotable around ahorizontal axle 12 normal to this plane, and parallel to side arm planeS, as best shown at T in FIG. 5. As further shown in these FIGS. 1 and 6the spacing of pulleys 10 is fairly wide, in comparision with this boom,thereby allowing the loading tackle to swing, unobstructed by the boom,from one side of the center plane A to the other side thereof, when thelower loading blocks, to be described presently, are disconnected fromone another.

The bottom portion of the loading block system con sists of two loadingblocks 13, each being shown as having a pulley 13. These lower loadingblocks can be connected with one another by horizontal bar 14 wherefroma loading hook I5 depends.

A one piece loading tackle or loading rope 17 is provided, which runsfrom a winch, not shown, through a post M, over the adjacent guide block7 provided according to the invention; then to one of the lower loadingblocks 13, from there to the overlying load pulley 10, across to theother side of the boom, down to the second, lower block 13, and up tothe second guide block 7. it then continues to the other side post andwinch. It is this arrangement of the load tackle and guide blocks whichenables the load tackle not only to operate normally and effectively forloading purposes, but also to swing the boom across the center planewithout any of the ill effects to the suspension system, formerlyencountered, which required much more costly and complex devices as acorrective measure.

Suspension tackle 18, which is basically known to the art, is shown hereonly insofar as it relates to the present invention and mainly to itsrelationship with guide blocks 7, which hold this tackle againsttwisting, under the control of the load tackle. The suspension ropes oneach side of the boom run back and forth between suspension block 6 ofthe boom and an outer suspension block 19 on a side post, as a group ofropes, which must be kept in proper orientation, as shown, for propersuspension of the boom. The outer end of these ropes runs over one ofpulleys l9 and then down to a winch, not shown, for operation of theboom, when the boom is on either side of the center plane. Suspensionblocks 19 are turnable in vertical bearings 19", to keep their pulleysl9 oriented in the planes of boom suspension pulleys 6', by tension oftackle 18. These bearings 19" can be hollow to conduct the end of thesuspension tackle downwards through them, as shown.

As already indicated, an important part of the operation of the new shiploading boom installation has to do with swinging the boom through thecenter plane, for operations on either side of that plane. Theinstallation according to the invention serves particularly tofacilitate this boom-swinging operation or a phase of it, with the aidof the load tackle and of simple, inexpensive and highly effective loadtackle-controlled and suspension tackle-controlling guide means. Thesuspension tackle alone could bring the boom only to the center plane,not beyond the same. The boom swinging operation performed with the aidof the new load tackle and suspension tackle equipment is illustrated inFIG. 6. The figure illustrates, at left, the position of the essentialparts, existing when the boom has been brought to the center plane,where it is in vertical condition. At this time, if not before, theoperators attach lower load block to suitable hook or anchor means 20 onthe ships deck D, by a rope 21. Load tackle 7 then converges to thelower load block, from upper load block 9 and guide block 7, as shown.An end part of load tackle 7, identified by number 17, runs from guideblock 7 to the adjacent side post, along suspension tackle 18. Thisguide block is, in this position of the installation, pulled from itsformer position (FIG. 4B) to the side of the center plane where the loadtackle connecting rope 21 is fixed to the deck. Such pulling of theguide block is affected by the new arrangement of the load tackle, andby the tension applied to it through its winch (not shown).

At this time, suspension block 6 is not exposed to significant tensionof the suspension tackle, since block 6, which moves with boom 2 in theplane of swing, then has minimum distance from the side post. At leastthe major force that orients the suspension block at this time is theforce of the load tackle, applied to the suspension block by the guideblock.

Three-dimensional swivelling of the suspension block, in its universalswivel bearing 5, 5' takes place as the boom moves from this centerposition. Again the swivelling of the suspension block, as well as themoving of the boom (against a restraining force which now begins to beapplied by the suspension tackle), is effected mainly by tension of theload tackle. The mo tions of the reversal parts can be visualized onconsideration of the broken line showing of the boom head. Thisthree-dimensional swivelling of the suspension block, together with thenow re-established tension of the suspension tackle, tends to keep thatblock in one and the same plane with the adjacent outer suspensionblock, although this no longer is the center plane of the ship. The loadtackle continues to pull guide block 7 toward anchor point 20, and tokeep this guide block in a plane which intersects attachment point 20.

What is claimed is:

1. Ship loading installation of the type wherein a boom having aboomhead is pivotably arranged on a ship's deck between two side postsfixed to the deck, for loading operations on either side ofa verticalcenter plane which passes through the side posts, and suspension tackleextends between the boomhead and each side post, while load tacklepasses from one side post to upper and lower load blocks suspended fromthe boomhead and then to the other side post; said installationcomprising:

a pair of rigid arms symmetrically extending a short distance from theboomhead, generally toward the side posts;

a pair of first swivel bearings, one on each side arm, each bearingextending across the arms along the boom and having an extension pieceat a free end of the bearing;

a suspension block on each of these extension pieces, each block beingpivoted to the extension piece for swinging in a plane which includesthe swivel bearing, and each block having pulleys, for the suspensiontackle;

a pair of second swivel bearings, one on each suspension block,extending generally in the direction of the suspension tackle;

a guide block on each suspension block, pivoted to the last mentionedswivel bearing of the block and having a guide pulley, in a planeparallel to the suspension tackle and to the load tackle portionextending to the side post;

whereby the load tackle can be brought from the side posts over theguide pulleys to the load blocks, so that the load tackle, through theseveral swivel bearings, keeps the suspension blocks in such positionsthat the suspension tackle will not be twisted when the boom is swungthrough the center plane by the load tackle.

2. Ship loading installation according to claim 1 wherein the firstswivel bearings extend through the side arms and have their extensionpieces below the side arms.

3. Ship loading installation according to claim 2 wherein the secondswivel bearings are mounted in the lower parts of the suspension blocks.

4. Ship loading installation according to claim 1 wherein the boomheadalso has a center arm, normal have central pulleys between the pulleyson both sides, for additional load tackle.

6. Ship loading installation according to claim 4 wherein said upperload blocks are pivoted to said boom head between said two said sidearms.

1. Ship loading installation of the type wherein a boom having a boomhead is pivotably arranged on a ship''s deck between two side posts fixed to the deck, for loading operations on either side of a vertical center plane which passes through the side posts, and suspension tackle extends between the boomhead and each side post, while load tackle passes from one side post to upper and lower load blocks suspended from the boomhead and then to the other side post; said installation comprising: a pair of rigid arms symmetrically extending a short distance from the boomhead, generally toward the side posts; a pair of first swivel bearings, one on each side arm, each bearing extending across the arms along the boom and having an extension piece at a free end of the bearing; a suspension block on each of these extension pieces, each block being pivoted to the extension piece for swinging in a plane which includes the swivel bearing, and each block having pulleys, for the suspension tackle; a pair of second swivel bearings, one on each suspension block, extending generally in the direction of the suspension tackle; a guide block on each suspension block, pivoted to the last mentioned swivel bearing of the block and having a guide pulley, in a plane parallel to the suspension tackle and to the load tackle portion extending to the side post; whereby the load tackle can be brought from the side posts over the guide pulleys to the load blocks, so that the load tackle, through the several swivel bearings, keeps the suspension blocks in such positions that the suspension tackle will not be twisted when the boom is swung through the center plane by the load tackle.
 2. Ship loading installation according to claim 1 wherein the first swivel bearings extend through the side arms and have their extension pieces below the side arms.
 3. Ship loading installation according to claim 2 wherein the second swivel bearings are mounted in the lower parts of the suspension blocks.
 4. Ship loading installation according to claim 1 wherein the boomhead also has a center arm, normal to the side arms, and the load blocks are pivoted to the center arm for swinging motions about an axis parallel to the center plane.
 5. Ship loading installation according to claim 4 wherein the upper and lower load blocks have pulleys on both sides of the boom, for said load tackle, and also have central pulleys between the pulleys on both sides, for additional load tackle.
 6. Ship loading installation according to claim 4 wherein said upper load blocks are pivoted to said boom head between said two said side arms. 